skatingforums
On the Ice => Sitting on the Boards Rink Side => Topic started by: slcbelle on May 15, 2012, 09:52:27 AM
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Today is test day and one of our local clubs and I'm going as an observer and to support a skate buddy. I will be testing Pre-Bronze in August and want to see all of the tests live and up close. What are people wearing? What's the format? I plan to watch from start to finish (about 3 hours). Then, there will be no surprises for me in August and all I'll have to focus on is my skating. I'm so excited to see this!
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*APPLAUDS*
This is one of the most important things a skater can do - go and observe a test session before testing yourself. It's very smart! Kudos and +4 GOE!
We'd love to hear your observations afterward.
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Great idea indeed, especially to find out local testing standards.
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Great idea indeed, especially to find out local testing standards.
That only works if the judges will be the same at the next test session...
However, observing a test session, just to see what it is like is a good idea if you aren't someone who adapts well to unfamiliar situations. I know I was very worried about my freeskate because I didn't know if you're supposed to go talk to the judges before the test, like you do with moves. Thankfully, there were two tests before me that I was able to watch, and I saw they did not do that, and they did bow at the end (I thought bowing would be weird, as there is no audience.) But I did it because they did.
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That only works if the judges will be the same at the next test session...
I thought about that too and assumed experienced coaches know what's the minimum expected locally in general, and the testing skaters would reflect it.
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I didn't sign up for this one because I have a scheduling conflict on Saturday May 11th - the day this test was originally scheduled. But, for whatever reason, they moved a lot of the tests to today. It seems like it's the standard and adult MIF/FS tests. Dance tests are still on Saturday. So, I lucked out because I can attend.
It's not that I get nervous in unfamiliar situations or anything. It's more that I'm a sponge and like to absorb knowledge and understanding. Watching everyone test today will change the way I think about my practice time and I'll be better able to envision myself testing. :-) So cool.
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I'm back! I'm so glad I went. I had no idea that multiple people tested at the same time. I've watched a lot of MIF testing on YouTube and it's always of one skater. Today, there were up to 3 at a time. It was good to observe the sequencing, the skaters' interaction with judges and coaches, levels of ability, different arm positions and methods of stopping, and what people chose to wear. I was there for 3 hours and never bored of it. :WS:
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I'm back! I'm so glad I went. I had no idea that multiple people tested at the same time. I've watched a lot of MIF testing on YouTube and it's always of one skater. Today, there were up to 3 at a time. It was good to observe the sequencing, the skaters' interaction with judges and coaches, levels of ability, different arm positions and methods of stopping, and what people chose to wear. I was there for 3 hours and never bored of it. :WS:
Excellent!!